(NewsWise) How might the Supreme Court decision affect the need for nurses? What are likely repercussions for patients? What are the potential effects of the Supreme Court’s decision on vulnerable populations, such as the elderly?

Experts at the University of Pennsylvania School of Nursing are available to talk with media for stories on the Supreme Court’s Affordable Care Act decision. Broadcast studios available.

Linda Aiken, PhD, RN, is an authority on causes, consequences, and solutions for nurse shortages in the U.S. and internationally. Dr. Aiken directs the Center for Health Outcomes and Policy Research at Penn Nursing, and her research findings on staffing and mortality are frequent references in ongoing policy debates about patient-nurse ratios. More than 20 states now have legislation enacted or pending because of her work. Dr. Aiken leads the International Hospital Outcomes Consortium studying the impact of nursing on patient outcomes in 13 countries.

Matthew McHugh, PhD, CRNP, MPH, JD, is a public health policy researcher with expertise in the Affordable Care Act, the impact of public health law and policy on vulnerable populations, and the effects of nurse staffing ratios on patient care, hospital reimbursement, and Medicare. His paper “Nurses’ Widespread Job Dissatisfaction, Burnout, and Frustration with Health Benefits Signal Problems for Patient Care” was selected as one of the Robert Wood Johnson Foundation’s top five most influential research articles of 2011.

Mary Naylor, PhD, RN, directs the NewCourtland Center for Transitions and Health at Penn Nursing. She developed the transitional care model which helps patients, often with complex acute and chronic conditions, to transfer safely from one level or type of care to another – for example from the ICU to a step-down unit or from hospital care to home care. Dr. Naylor testified before Congress in 2009 that transitional care could translate into improved outcomes for millions of older Americans and achieve substantial healthcare savings. The Affordable Care Act includes provisions for coverage of pilot programs and demonstration projects to further explore services such as transitional care.